Barnaby Joyce

The Nationals Member For New England

$560,000 boost to financial counselling for farmers in New South Wales

20 Sep 2016

19 September 2016

Three providers to receive a $560,000 funding injection to support people across Northern, Central and Southern NSW

$66.7 million to be provided to the 12 RFCS providers over the four years to 2019–20

free financial counselling to farmers, fishers and small rural businesses who are suffering financial hardship and have no alternative sources of impartial advice.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said farmers in need of financial counselling across NSW are set to benefit, with three providers to receive a $560,000 funding injection to support people across Northern, Central and Southern NSW.

Mr Joyce said the funding is part of almost $2.7 million commitment to Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) providers to support communities affected by and recovering from drought.

“We all know how valued rural financial counsellors are within our local community, right across Northern, Central and Southern regions,” Mr Joyce said.

“It provides free financial counselling to farmers, fishers and small rural businesses who are suffering financial hardship and have no alternative sources of impartial advice.

“The additional resources for RFCS providers will enable them to retain skilled professionals to help farmers understand their financial situation and build financial self-sufficiency, in regions that have been experiencing and recovering from hardship or drought.

“This funding is in response to increased client demand during, and when recovering from drought. We recognise that times like these can put severe pressure on farmers trying to manage both farm and household budgets.

The Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW - Northern Region is administered from its head office based in Casino, and today the organisation employs rural financial counsellors in Scone, Inverell, Armidale, Tamworth, and Glen Innes districts. The remaining counsellors in the organisation are based in Narrabri, Moree, Casino, Macksville, Taree and Gloucester.

For more information on the RFCS visit agriculture.gov.au/rfcs or call 1800 686 175.

For information on drought support measures go to www.agriculture.gov.au/drought

FAST FACTS

This funding is part of $66.7 million to be provided to the 12 RFCS providers over the four years to 2019–20

This funding will also enable RFCS providers to meet demand in regions experiencing hardship or drought